Pyrotechnical device



NOV. 5, 1929. W F, GEHR|G 1,734,722

PYROTECHNICAL DEVICE Filed June 12. 1928 INVENToR. W/L L/HM E GEHRIG Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITE WILLIAM F, GEHRIG, 0F BERKLEY HEGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ESSEX SPECIALTY CO., INC., OF BERKLEY EEIC-HTS, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PYROTECHNICAL DEVICE This invention relates, generally, to improvements in pyrotechnical devices; and the invention has reference more particularly to an improved firework of either the non-detonating or detonating type.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel construction of firework wherein a plurality of independent combustible elements are adapted to be held in spaced relation and substantially simultaneously ignited to produce a multiplicity of concurrent pyrotechnical eHects. For eX- ample, combustible elements known in the trade as snake7 composition may be employed and substantially ignited simultaneously to produce a plurality of irruptions common to this class of pyrotechnic composition, thereby adding considerably to the amusing effect obtained.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the invention is embodied in concrete form.

In the drawings Figure l, is a plan view of the firework, made according to an embodiment of the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure l, with parts broken away; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 1 designates the firework as a whole, which comprises a base member 2 preferably of cardboard or thick paper. Spaced cylindrical buttons or individual bodies 3 of suitable pyrotechnical composition have their lower portions secured by their own adhesion or by glue or cement, or in any other suitable manner, to the upper surface of the base member 2. The buttons 3 when made of snake composition if ignited are adapted to gradually expand during combustion, thereby producing the clongated twisted shapes characteristic of thev snake firework. It will, of course, be understood that there are many different pyro technical compositions known to those skilled in the art which, when ignited, will produce configurations of the snake or worm variety, and consequently, this invention is not limited to the use of any particular composition so characterized. Four equally spaced buttons 3 are illustrated as secured to the base member 2, although any other suitable number of these buttons may be employed. It will alsofbe understood that buttons of other composition adapted to attain other pyrotechnic effects such e. g. as detonating ette-cts m ay be employed, if desired.

A fuse element 4 of highly infiammable material such as pyralin and illustrated as having the form of a disk is adhesively or otherwise secured to the upper portions of the buttons 3. The fuse element 4 has, preferably, substantially the same diameter as the base 2 and this fuse element as well as the base 2 may be suitably decorated as by coloring.

As assembled the firework presents a neat and. attractive appearance and can be conveniently packed into a small space for shipment.

In operation, the fuse element 4 of pyralin, pyroXylin or other suitable material may be ignited at any point of its surface. This 'fuse element thereupon burns with great rapidity so that the four buttons 3 are ignited substantially simultaneously. Upon ignition these buttons (when of snake composition) expand in the manner characteristic of this type of material to produce a plurality of snakes appearing to be coming out of holes in the base member 2. The base member 2 holds the buttons in desired relatively spa-ced positions during combustion, thereby displaying the effects of the combustion to the best advantage, and also acts to maintain the products of combustion in spaced relation so that the combustion of all of the buttons is clearly discernible to the eye.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying. drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting' sense. Y

What is claimed is 1. A pyrotechnical device comprising, a base member, a pluralityv of spaced buttons of pyrotechnical composition secured to said base member, and means for simultaneously igniting said buttons. i

2. A pyrotechnical device comprising, Wa base member, a plurality of spaced buttons o pyrotechnical composition secured to said base member, and a disk of highly iniiamfumable material contacting VWith said. buttons.

3. A `pyrotechnical device comprising, a base member, spaced members of pyrotechnical material mounted upon said base member, and a fuse in the .form of a disk of pyroxylin secured to said members; Y

i 4:. A pyrotechnical device comprising, a base member, a fuse member in the form of asheet of rapidly combustible material spaced from said base member, and buttons oi' pyrotechnical material eXtending between said Y base member and said fuse member.

In testimony that): ,claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this `7th day of June, 1928.

Y WILLLAMv F. GEHRIG. 

